Skykit Emergency Alerts helps your organization display urgent messages on Skykit-managed digital signage when those messages are triggered from a supported third-party emergency mass notification system. When an authorized user sends an alert through InformaCast or Alertus, Skykit temporarily overrides scheduled content on the appropriate displays and restores regular programming when the alert clears.
Quick answer: Skykit does not replace your emergency mass notification system. Skykit extends the alerts you already send to one more high-visibility channel: the digital signage screens across your organization.
Before you begin
Before operating any emergency alert integration with Skykit in a production environment, you must review the emergency alerts terms within your Skykit Master Services Agreement. Please contact support@skykit.com for a link to the relevant terms.
You should also confirm which emergency alert system your organization uses, which Skykit tenants should receive alerts, and who on your team can help configure and test the integration.
| What to confirm | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Emergency alert platform | Skykit currently supports integrations with InformaCast and Alertus. |
| Skykit tenants to enable | Alerts are delivered based on the tenant structure configured in Skykit. |
| Internal administrator | Your emergency alert system administrator will configure the Skykit-provided information in the third-party system. |
| Testing plan | A test or drill confirms that alerts appear on the correct displays and that regular content resumes afterward. |
How Emergency Alerts work in Skykit
When an emergency alert is triggered from a supported third-party system, Skykit overrides the currently scheduled content on the configured displays and shows the alert message. This helps critical safety information reach viewers quickly on the screens they already use for digital signage.
Once the alert is cancelled or expires in the third-party system, Skykit automatically removes the override. Displays then return to their normal scheduled content without requiring a manual reset.
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Alert is triggered | An authorized user or automated workflow sends an alert from InformaCast or Alertus. |
| 2. Alert is sent to Skykit | The third-party system sends the alert to a Skykit-provided endpoint using the configured credentials and Tenant Code. |
| 3. Displays are overridden | Skykit shows the alert on the displays assigned to the mapped tenant. |
| 4. Alert clears | When the alert is cancelled or expires, Skykit removes the override. |
| 5. Scheduled content resumes | The displays return to their normal Skykit content schedule. |
Tenant-level delivery
Alerts are delivered to Skykit displays based on your tenant structure. During configuration, the third-party alert service is mapped to a specific Skykit tenant using a unique Tenant Code.
When an alert is sent to that Tenant Code, all displays within that tenant show the alert at the same time. If different groups of displays need to receive different alerts, such as separate buildings on a campus, each group should be organized into its own Skykit tenant and configured with its own corresponding alert profile.
| Scenario | Recommended setup |
|---|---|
| One building or one shared display environment | Use one Skykit tenant and one alert profile. |
| Multiple buildings or locations | Use one Skykit tenant and one alert profile per building or location. |
| Different alerting needs by group | Review tenant structure with Skykit Support before configuration. |
Alert templates
The visual layout of the alert on your screens is controlled by an HTML template hosted by Skykit. By default, integrations use a standard alert template designed for readability on digital signage.
During onboarding, Skykit can help review basic template needs. Because emergency alerts must remain clear and legible, template changes should be handled carefully and coordinated with Skykit.
Supported integrations
Skykit currently supports integrations with the following emergency mass notification systems. Use the configuration guide for your system when you are ready to set up the integration.
| Integration | Configuration guide |
|---|---|
| InformaCast | InformaCast Emergency Alerts Configuration Guide |
| Alertus | Alertus Emergency Alerts Configuration Guide |
Getting started
Because emergency alerts involve secure communication between third-party systems and your Skykit displays, the initial setup requires coordination with the Skykit team.
To begin, contact support@skykit.com and include the emergency alert system you use, the Skykit tenants you want to enable, and the best contact for your emergency alert system administrator. Skykit Support will provide the necessary credentials and Tenant Codes to complete configuration in your alert system.
Need more detail?
For a deeper explanation of how Skykit Emergency Alerts works, including targeting, testing, offline displays, reporting, and frequently asked questions, see Skykit Emergency Alerts: How It Works and FAQ.
References
This article explains how Skykit integrates with third-party emergency mass notification systems to display critical alerts on your digital signage network.